Monday afternoon:  My dear one:  Yesterday evening I received yours of Aug 4th.  I was happy to learn that you was well, and that you was able to take care of your aunt in her sickness:  I was disappointed to learn that you was still in Ill - and here probably it would be better to stop.  I am so awkward in my way of expressing my mind that you might misaprehend my meaning - You have written to me & set two diferent times to start home. & have allowed yourself to be persuaded out of your purpose - This is what vexes me - but I am satisfied that you have a reason for it.  I can not think that my wife invariably of so firm a purpose in her arangements that I used to know the hour of her return, has become vacillating and without her former firmness - it can not be so.  You are doing right in this instance in caring for your sick aunt. She has been a friend to you - But if she should be better & you can arange your buisness so as to go & feel that you can enjoy life as well in the quiet of our father's home as in the society of your friends in Ill.  I would most certainly be better satisfied to hear of you from Des Moines.  Your remark that "of all men I am the least calculated to be away from home" I feel to be true.  Although not by any means flatering to me as a military man - A man may have military capacity and ability and have such a love for home and family - that he is --  I hardly know how to express it but he cant amount to much - His mind is dwelling in suspense for the welfare of his family or looking forward to the day of a happy reunion at home.  The soldier should have no wife or children to ocupy his sleepless nights have no home to look forward to as his final earthly paradise, when when human gore shall cease to crimson the field of battle.  His tent and blankets is his home, any woman he can aproach will be his wife for the hour.  The present is all he cares for - such is the life of the contented soldier - But I must close this harangue I know that you are looking forward with an eye of faith to a bright future - I too shall not cease to think on the happy past and hope for brighter days to come.  May Our Father bless you my dear precious Mary is ever the prayer of your husband  Lyle A. Garrett
